Russia war atill_ apparent on my" rip. across Siberia during which! time T saw two crowded _prison trains taking exiles to northacastern Siberia. Several groups of prisoners, all under guard. also were seen! along the railway. They were engaged in repair work on the rail= was. Precautions are being taken throughout Russia to stamp out any "Fifth Column" groups which might undermine the Communist dictatorship. Press despatches "sent from Russia since the. second "week of the Russo-Finnish War have been heavily' censored.
Twenty-five days in the Soviet Union left me with he profound Impression that Russia believes that eventually the Rome-Berlin Axis! will turn against her if, England ts] defeated. Consequently, Russia appears to be mobilizing all her mill {ary and civilian efforts to bring. military might. to its greatest peab before Germany and Moly reach a Aecision with Britain.
The rapid collapse of France was severe shock to the ordinary citizen in Russia as well as to those in high Government positions, "ae-cording 10 excellent news sources.
Mutual Di German quarters in Stockholm and] Russian circles in. Moscow confirmed this month that both Russia and Germany entertain a mutual distrust for each other and expect their In~ feresis to collide inthe very near fate Consequently, 1 found in. Russia widespread approval Stalin's polley of seizing military" positions "inthe Baltic, Balkans and anywhere else that might improve Russia's defensive position.
'The Communists have reopened theoretical debates in the centered Dress to. justify net only' Russia's Felaure of areas formerly. belonging {to her, but also to justify the annexation of new territory.
Russian propaganda is advocating] the occupation of neve areas grounds that the Soviet should "liberate our oppressed Tetarian brothers in other countries and strengthen the position world stronghold Hotels in Moscow during my vis there were crowded with" trad delegations from many European ecuniries. Most of the delegates were from Germany. They openly prested criticism and hostility toward the Soviet Union and the Communist system of government.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.